San Antonio hosted the 2026 Starnet Fall Conference on Oct. 22, drawing commercial flooring contractors, vendor partners and special guests. The event’s theme, “Age of Abundance,” highlighted growth and opportunity within the industry.
Industry Challenges and Opportunities
Mark Bischoff, Starnet president and CEO, addressed attendees during his opening remarks, emphasizing that the industry is experiencing a unique moment of significant potential. “We’re in a strange time when incumbent companies and brands operating with proven methods can win,” he said. At the same time, he noted, “we have new disruptive forces opening doors for those same companies to take a different path.”
Bischoff observed that disruptive companies challenging traditional models could reshape the industry, yet this window of opportunity may close as interest rates drop and residential flooring improves. “We’re in a sweet spot right now that we’re calling the ‘Age of Abundance,’” he stated.
Read Also: Daltile offers Kentucky Derby trips to trade pros
To capitalize on these opportunities, contractors and manufacturers must prioritize technology, innovation and collaboration, Bischoff argued. “We don’t innovate enough in the flooring industry,” he said. “And no innovation equals low demand generation—and low demand equals low margin.” He added that improving productivity through better talent, operations and technology is critical for growth. According to Bischoff, Starnet aims to create excitement and demand for flooring products by emulating top performers globally.
He also emphasized the need to move beyond waiting for construction timelines, stating, “Our current story is demolish, prepare, fabricate, install. We don’t have to wait for 19th and 20th century products or the people that regulate our industry. We should be able to create our own success in a 21st century world.” Creating future pathways for success, Starnet noted, will require closer cooperation with the group’s vendor partners.
Collaboration as a Path Forward
Steve Cloud, Starnet chairman and owner of M. Frank Higgins, stressed the importance of stronger partnerships with vendor partners. “Over the 14 years that Higgins has been in the Starnet organization, we realized we stopped being an island in our own market,” Cloud said. “We had friends and we had family to help.”
Read Also: Bentonville Health Campus Design Firms Selected by Walton
Cloud highlighted that vendor partners must also collaborate, noting, “Nobody here is an island. Starnet has always focused on its branded products. As the world changes, we need to better support each other or we risk being left behind. So, to our vendor partners, how do we impact this industry through the rest of the decade and into the 2030s to better serve each other?” He emphasized that while future technologies remain uncertain, sustained relationships built on trust are essential for handling market shifts.
Cloud challenged vendors to envision success and use Starnet’s resources to plan for the future. He concluded by framing success as a collective effort: “It isn’t about having more, it’s about what becomes possible when we do this together.” His remarks emphasized the need for adaptability and trust in handling technological and market shifts ahead.
Leave a Reply